Police, community and calendar briefs for March 2, 2013

Published: Friday, March 1, 2013 at 10:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 1, 2013 at 6:10 p.m.

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County said Friday it investigated seven reports of raccoon bites in February, after averaging less than two per month since January 2012.

Raccoons are carriers of rabies, a deadly viral disease that attacks the nerves and brain tissue of warm-blooded animals, including humans, according to the department. None of the animals tested positive for rabies, but the agency is concerned about the increase in bites.

In Florida, raccoons, bats, foxes and unvaccinated cats are most frequently diagnosed with rabies, but animals at high risk for rabies include skunks, otters, coyotes, bobcats and stray or unvaccinated dogs and ferrets.

The department recommends:

Call an animal control agency to remove stray animals.

Do not handle, feed or attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.

Never adopt wild animals or bring them into a home.

Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.

If a human is bitten by an animal, call the health department at 622-7744.

If a pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance and call Marion County Animal Services at 671-8727.

The fee is $12 for members and $14 for nonmembers. Call the listed number to register. For additional times and locations, visit www.aarp.org/drive.

County schools’ parent surveys are now online

Marion County Public Schools has made it latest parent survey available on the district website at www.marion.k12.fl.us. Users can view the survey in English or Spanish.

Parents without computer access can complete a survey at their child’s school or the Title I Office, 306 NW Seventh Ave., Ocala.

All surveys must be completed by April 12.

Clay Electric approves capital credits refund

Clay Electric Cooperative’s board of trustees recently approved a $4.5 million capital credits refund to entitled members of the co-op who received service between 1987 and 2011.

Current members entitled to a refund will receive a credit on March bills, determined by amount of electricity used and length of service. Members entitled to a refund but no longer receiving service will be mailed a check in late March.

Donations may be dropped of at Devereux, 215 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Ocala, from 1 to 6 p.m. March 15 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 16.

Pick up service also is available.

For more information, call 732-3300.

STATE

Jury still can’t reach verdict in terror trial

MIAMI — Jurors will return for a fifth day in Miami federal court to deliberate the fate of a Muslim cleric accused of supporting the Pakistani Taliban.

The 12-person panel quit Friday evening without reaching a verdict in the case of 77-year-old Hafiz Khan. They now must return Monday to continue their deliberations.

The jury already sat through a two-month trial on U.S. charges that Khan provided about $50,000 to the Pakistani Taliban. Khan testified the money was for needy people, family members and a religious school he owns in Pakistan’s Swat Valley.

If convicted, Khan faces maximum sentences of 15 years on each of four terror support-related charges.

— The Associated Press

One person found dead after mobile home fire

TAMPA — Authorities say one person is dead after fire destroyed a mobile home in Tampa.

The fire happened early Friday at the Tropicana Mobile Home Park. The Tampa Tribune reports a neighbor called 911 to report smoke coming out of a mobile home.

Police say the home was fully engulfed when they arrived. One person was found dead.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

— The Associated Press

FHP: 2 teens killed in crash with drunk driver

ST. CLOUD — Authorities say two teens are dead after crashing into a suspected drunken driver in Central Florida.

The Florida Highway Patrol reports that 47-year-old Randall Kerley was driving a pickup truck in Osceola County Thursday night when he turned left at an intersection in front of an oncoming car. The car hit the right side of Kerley’s truck and caught fire as it hit an SUV that was stopped at the intersection.

The car’s driver, 18-year-old Rachel Price, and her passenger, 19-year-old Jamaree Cook, were killed in the blaze.

Troopers report that Kerley showed signs of impairment after the crash.

— The Associated Press

CALENDAR

TODAY

SILVER RIVER KNAP-IN: Knap-in and Stone Age Art Festival runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Silver River State Park, 1425 NE 58th Ave., Ocala. $5 per person. (236-7148)

ARE YOU SMARTER: “Are you Smarter Than A ??????” begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, at the MTI auditorium, 1614 E. Fort King St., Ocala. Free and every child that attends will receive a new book. (861 3009)

<p class="bold allcaps">COMMUNITY</p>
<p><b>Health Dept. cautions against raccoon bites</b></p><p>The Florida Department of Health in Marion County said Friday it investigated seven reports of raccoon bites in February, after averaging less than two per month since January 2012.</p><p>Raccoons are carriers of rabies, a deadly viral disease that attacks the nerves and brain tissue of warm-blooded animals, including humans, according to the department. None of the animals tested positive for rabies, but the agency is concerned about the increase in bites.</p><p>In Florida, raccoons, bats, foxes and unvaccinated cats are most frequently diagnosed with rabies, but animals at high risk for rabies include skunks, otters, coyotes, bobcats and stray or unvaccinated dogs and ferrets.</p><p>The department recommends:</p><p>Call an animal control agency to remove stray animals.</p><p>Do not handle, feed or attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.</p><p>Never adopt wild animals or bring them into a home.</p><p>Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.</p><p>If a human is bitten by an animal, call the health department at 622-7744.</p><p>If a pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance and call Marion County Animal Services at 671-8727.</p><p><b>Christian women's group hosting luncheon</b></p><p>The Ocala Christian Women's Connection invites area women to “The Winds of Fashion Luncheon” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 :30 p.m. March 26 at the Ocala Hilton, 3600 SW 36th Ave., Ocala.</p><p>The event includes a fashion show by Valerie Strickland of Blue Willow Designs, harpist Glenna Jacola and speaker Paula Muehlhauser.</p><p>The cost is $18 and childcare is available. Reservations are required by March 22.</p><p>For more information, call 236-1982.</p><p><b>Donations sought for La Leche League sale</b></p><p>Donations are being accepted for a La Leche League of Marion County yard sale and can be dropped off at 2205 NE Eighth St., Ocala.</p><p>The sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 5 and 6 at that location.</p><p>For more information, email jenniLR711@yahoo.com.</p><p><b>AARP offering driving classes through March</b></p><p>AARP safe-driving courses are open to those 50 and older. Upcoming classes include:</p><p>March 14-15: Sheriff's Office, 9048 W. State Road 200, Ocala, (237-2971)</p><p>March 14-15: Sheriff's Office, 19995 SW 86th St., Unit 3, Dunnellon. (465-6359)</p><p>March 15 and 29: Stonecrest Community, 11038 SE 176th, Place Road, Summerfield. (245-9617)</p><p>March 18-19: Del Webb, 13601 Del Webb Blvd., Summerfield. (435-0379)</p><p>March 21-22: Master the Possibilities, 8415 SW 80th St., Ocala (304-8217)</p><p>March 26-27: Rainbow Lakes Estates Clubhouse, 9514 SW Rainbow Lakes Blvd., Dunnellon. (233-1574)</p><p>The fee is $12 for members and $14 for nonmembers. Call the listed number to register. For additional times and locations, visit www.aarp.org/drive.</p><p><b>County schools' parent surveys are now online</b></p><p>Marion County Public Schools has made it latest parent survey available on the district website at www.marion.k12.fl.us. Users can view the survey in English or Spanish.</p><p>Parents without computer access can complete a survey at their child's school or the Title I Office, 306 NW Seventh Ave., Ocala.</p><p>All surveys must be completed by April 12.</p><p><b>Clay Electric approves capital credits refund</b></p><p>Clay Electric Cooperative's board of trustees recently approved a $4.5 million capital credits refund to entitled members of the co-op who received service between 1987 and 2011.</p><p>Current members entitled to a refund will receive a credit on March bills, determined by amount of electricity used and length of service. Members entitled to a refund but no longer receiving service will be mailed a check in late March.</p><p><b>Golf tournament to benefit softball team</b></p><p>The Lake Weir Girls Softball Golf tournament begins at 12:30 p.m. March 23 at Silver Springs Shores Golf Course, 633 Silver Road, Ocala.</p><p>The cost is $65 per player or $260 for a team of four. Proceeds benefit Lake Weir Softball.</p><p>For more information, call 454-2289 or email aieinc@cfl.rr.com.</p><p><b>Charities host Days of Giving to help families</b></p><p>Devereux, along with Kids Central, is hosting Days of Giving to benefit local families.</p><p>The charities need donations of clothing, shoes, hygiene products, diapers, undergarments, books, dish and laundry detergent, toilet paper and more. Items are needed for adults and children.</p><p>Donations may be dropped of at Devereux, 215 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Ocala, from 1 to 6 p.m. March 15 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 16.</p><p>Pick up service also is available.</p><p>For more information, call 732-3300.</p><h3>STATE</h3>
<p><b>Jury still can't reach verdict in terror trial</b></p><p>MIAMI — Jurors will return for a fifth day in Miami federal court to deliberate the fate of a Muslim cleric accused of supporting the Pakistani Taliban.</p><p>The 12-person panel quit Friday evening without reaching a verdict in the case of 77-year-old Hafiz Khan. They now must return Monday to continue their deliberations.</p><p>The jury already sat through a two-month trial on U.S. charges that Khan provided about $50,000 to the Pakistani Taliban. Khan testified the money was for needy people, family members and a religious school he owns in Pakistan's Swat Valley.</p><p>If convicted, Khan faces maximum sentences of 15 years on each of four terror support-related charges.</p><p><i>— The Associated Press</i></p><p><b>One person found dead after mobile home fire</b></p><p>TAMPA — Authorities say one person is dead after fire destroyed a mobile home in Tampa.</p><p>The fire happened early Friday at the Tropicana Mobile Home Park. The Tampa Tribune reports a neighbor called 911 to report smoke coming out of a mobile home.</p><p>Police say the home was fully engulfed when they arrived. One person was found dead.</p><p>The cause of the fire is under investigation.</p><p><i>— The Associated Press</i></p><p><b>FHP: 2 teens killed in crash with drunk driver</b></p><p>ST. CLOUD — Authorities say two teens are dead after crashing into a suspected drunken driver in Central Florida.</p><p>The Florida Highway Patrol reports that 47-year-old Randall Kerley was driving a pickup truck in Osceola County Thursday night when he turned left at an intersection in front of an oncoming car. The car hit the right side of Kerley's truck and caught fire as it hit an SUV that was stopped at the intersection.</p><p>The car's driver, 18-year-old Rachel Price, and her passenger, 19-year-old Jamaree Cook, were killed in the blaze. </p><p>Troopers report that Kerley showed signs of impairment after the crash.</p><p><i>— The Associated Press</i></p><h3>CALENDAR</h3>
<p><b>TODAY</b></p><p>SILVER RIVER KNAP-IN: Knap-in and Stone Age Art Festival runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Silver River State Park, 1425 NE 58th Ave., Ocala. $5 per person. (236-7148)</p><p> </p><p>ARE YOU SMARTER: “Are you Smarter Than A ??????” begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, at the MTI auditorium, 1614 E. Fort King St., Ocala. Free and every child that attends will receive a new book. (861 3009)</p><p> </p><p>JIMMY STURR: Jimmy Sturr and his Orchestra along with Tommy Cash, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Orange Blossom Opry, 13939 SE State Road 42, Weirsdale. (821-1201 or www.obopry.com)</p><p> </p><p>MARVELETTES: The Marvelettes and Sam Cooke Salute, 7 p.m. Saturday, Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th St., Ocala. $20-30. (854-3670 or www.csculturalcenter.com)</p><p> </p><p>MET OPERA: Live simulcast of Metropolitan Opera's “Parsifal,” noon Saturday, Hollywood Stadium 16, 2801 SW 27th Ave., Ocala. $18-$24. (861-2695)</p><p> </p><p>CRUISE-IN: Twilight Cruisers of Belleview cruise–in, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Kmart, 10301 SE U.S. 441, Belleview. (347-4496)</p><p> </p><p>SINGLES DANCE: Ocala Singles Club dance, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Ocala Scottish Rite, 3632 NE Seventh St., Ocala. $9, refreshments provided. (622-3171)</p><p> </p><p><b>TODAY AND SUNDAY</b></p><p>HOME TOWN EXPO: Home and garden show, senior expo, local lifestyles and K-9's in Flight, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Ocala Hilton, 3600 SW 36 Ave., Ocala. Free. (www.expotradeshows.com)</p><p> </p><p>BOAT SHOW: Boat show and fishing expo, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Millers Boating Center, 1661 NW 57 St., Ocala. (877-898-1471)</p><p> </p><p>HITS: HITS Winter Circuit, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Post Time Farm, 13710 U.S. 27, Ocala. Free Saturday, $5 Sunday. (620-2275 or www.hitsshows.com/ocala)</p><p> </p><p>MA'CEO: Cavallo Equestrian Arts presents Ma'Ceo, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Ocala Equestrian Complex, 1601 SW 60th Ave., Ocala. $14-$50. (941-735-7598 or www.cavalloeqarts.com)</p><p> </p><p>CABARET: Coffee House Cabaret, 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, Insomniac Theater, 1 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala. $15 includes first coffee and dessert. (897-0477 or www.insomniactheatre.com)</p><p> </p><p><b>SUNDAY</b></p><p>THE DIAMONDS: Classic rock 'n roll, 3 p.m. Sunday, Curtis Peterson Auditorium, 3810 N Educational Path, Lecanto. (873-5810 or ticket.CF.edu)</p><p> </p><p>SOUNDART: Ocala Symphony Orchestra presents Heavenly Harp, 3 p.m. Sunday, Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. $15, includes admission to museum. (351-1606)</p><p> </p><p>OLDIES: 24K Gold Music, 3 and 6 p.m. Sunday, MTI, 1614 E. Fort King St., Ocala. $18-$36. (1-866-884-0291 or www.facebook.com/24Kgold Music)</p><p> </p><p>FOOD ADDICTS: Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Queen of Peace Church, 6455 SW State Road 200, Ocala. (270-8534 or www.foodaddicts.org)</p><p> </p><p>BAR BINGO: Bingo, 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, West Marion Moose Lodge, 10411 SW 110th St, Ocala. (854-2200)</p><p> </p><p>YOGA: Gentle yoga, 5 p.m. Sunday, Family Wellness Center, 4817 NE Second Loop, Ocala. ( 624-2337 or www.oneplaceforwellness.com)</p><p> </p><p>ZUMBA: Party to raise money for MS Society, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Ocala Gym, 7171 S. Pine St., Suite G., Ocala. $5-$10. (266-2292)</p><p> </p><p><i>To submit information for this list, send an e-mail to calendar@starbanner.com or visit www.ocala.com, scroll down and click on EVENTS CALENDAR on the right.</i></p>